Accumulation of copper by Acremonium pinkertoniae, a fungus isolated from industrial wastes

Abstract

Acremonium pinkertoniae isolated from zinc wastes was studied to understand the mechanisms that allow living organisms to thrive in polluted environments and the possible role of the fungus in the redistribution and cycling of copper. The fungus was cultured on solid media supplemented with copper sulfate at increasing concentrations. At high doses it was observed that the mycelia acquired a characteristic blue color. This was accompanied by morphological changes and the formation of crystalloid structures within thickened cell walls. The material was further analysed with EDX, X-ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that A. pinkertoniae is able to accumulate over 20% dry weight of copper by what probably is a chitin-glucan complex.